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Gary O'Neil believes it's impossible to “overstate” just how important Boro's comeback win over Stoke City will be for Jonathan Woodgate and his players.

Victory in the televised relegation six-pointer not only opened up a significant gap on Michael O'Neill's struggling side, it lifted the mood of gloom surrounding the Riverside going into a tough Christmas and New Year programme.

Boro, who play another struggling team in Huddersfield on Boxing Day, are six points better off than the Potters thanks to Friday night's 2-1 win and ex-Middlesbrough midfielder O'Neil, who's now between clubs and working as a TV pundit, believes it was a hugely significant result.

“I don't think we can overstate how much of a huge win that was for Middlesbrough and for Jonathan Woodgate and for the young lads,” he said on Sky TV.

“You could see in his (post-match) interview the emotion and the desire oozing out of him.”

O'Neil praised Woodgate's tactical nous, pointing to his half-time change in formation and his double substitution with the score level at 1-1. One of those subs, Lewis Wing, came on to score the winning goal.

“The change he made at half-time was fantastic.” said O'Neil. “Middlesbrough were so camped in (their own half) in that first half, they couldn't put any pressure on that ball, they changed it second half but not only did he change it at half-time, he changed it again when they went to 1-1. They looked a completely different side.”

Ashley Fletcher scores against Stoke

Woodgate was forced to field a team full of rookies on Friday night due to a lengthy injury list and a lack of options in his squad.

However, the January window opens in 10 days' time and Boro will be looking to bring in a couple of new faces.

“I think he'll want to,” said O'Neil when asked about the window. “I think they are a bit short but he will be judged on his budget. I don't know how much they've got to spend, it will be a tricky one for him.

“I think everyone is surprised at where they are. It's been a tough start, especially for Jonathan, they've cut the budget a lot and he's maybe not got the tools to work with that previous Middlesbrough managers had.

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“I think the key thing is those young lads get a positive experience from it (Friday),” he added. “It could easily have been a tough one for them to take if they'd lost 1-0.

“But the fact that they've managed to show so much fight and put in a performance, they will take so much from that for the rest of the season.

“Losing 1-0 at home in a huge game, the fans were grumbling a little bit as well, even at 0-0, so when it went to 1-0 it would have been very, very easy for them to go the other way.

“But to be fair they stood up and produced a fantastic second half display and they ran out deserved winners.

Gary O'Neil in action for Bolton against Middlesbrough

“These are big games. He (Woodgate) says they are not season-defining and when you are in the mix of it they feel like they are not but come the end of the season, if you don't avoid relegation you look back and think, 'That Stoke game at home was big'. When they look back at the end of the season these two games are going to be really big for them.”

O'Neil did think Boro got a lucky break when Jonny Howson wasn't penalised for tripping Sam Clucas inside the box with the score at 1-1.

The Stoke player was booked for diving but replays showed Howson making contact with Clucas.

“I think it was a penalty,” said O'Neil. “I understand him not giving the penalty because he can't see because Saville's in his line of sight. At full speed it's hard to see.

“When we get to the slow-motion (replay) there is definite contact. He doesn't give a pen because he doesn't see any contact but I don't see how he can give a yellow card.

“I find it strange to book someone when your view is blocked. I understand him not giving the penalty but the yellow card is harsh.”